Lead wire inserting mechanism for stator winding apparatus

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for inserting external lead wires in slot dynamoelectric machine stator core slots and for positioning coils in the slots over the lead wires thereby to anchor the same. Elongated tubes are provided having inner and outer ends with the lead wires extending therethrough. The inner tube ends are inserted in the bore of the core adjacent the slot entrances and the lead wires are advanced so that end portions extend outwardly from the inner tube ends and from one end of the core. First clamping members are provided movable laterally between extended positions in which they initially engage the lead wire end portions and retracted positions in which they pull the end portions laterally outwardly away from the bore. The tubes are then withdrawn from the bore to a retracted position with their inner ends spaced longitudinally from the other end of the core and with other lead wire portions extending between their inner ends and the core. Second clamping members are provided movable laterally between extended positions in which they engage the other lead wire portions and retracted positions in which they pull the other lead wire portions laterally outwardly away from the bore, retraction of both clamping members thereby laterally pulling the respective lead wire portions outwardly away from the bore and seating the lead wires against the bottoms of the slots. With the lead wires thus clamped, coils are positioned in the slots over the lead wires therein, as by being directly wound in the slots by a gun-type coil winder. Following positioning of the coils in the slots over the external leads, the other lead wire portions are severed and lanced on either side thereof to provide strippable ends for the other lead wire portions and the end portions of the next lead wires.

United States Patent Reust et al.

[ 51 July 11, 1972 [54] LEAD WIRE INSERTING MECHANISM FOR STATOR WINDINGAPPARATUS [72] Inventors: Paul H. Retst; Donald R. Taube, both of FortWayne, Ind.

[73] Assignee: Essex International Inc., Fort Wayne, Ind.

[22] Filed: Aug. 28, 1970 [21 Appl. No.: 67,950

Primary Examiner-Thomas H. Eager Allornqv-Hood, Gust, Irish & Lundy [57]ABSTRACT Apparatus for inserting external lead wires in slotdynamoelectric machine stator core slots and for positioning coils inthe slots over the lead wires thereby to anchor the FROM OOlL WIRESUPPLY same. Elongated tubes are provided having inner and outer endswith the lead wires extending therethrough. The inner tube ends areinserted in the bore of the core adjacent the slot entrances and thelead wires are advanced so that end portions extend outwardly from theinner tube ends and from one end of the core First clamping members areprovided movable laterally between extended positions in which theyinitially engage the lead wire end portions and retracted positions inwhich they pull the end portions laterally outwardly away from the bore.The tubes are then withdrawn from the bore to a retracted position withtheir inner ends spaced longitudinally from the other end of the coreand with other lead wire portions extending between their inner ends andthe core. Second clamping members are provided movable laterally betweenextended positions in which they engage the other lead wire portions andretracted positions in which they pull the other lead wire portionslaterally outwardly away from the bore, retraction of both clampingmembers thereby laterally pulling the respective lead wire portionsoutwardly away from the bore and seating the lead wires against thebottoms of the slots. With the lead wires thus clamped, coils arepositioned in the slots over the lead wires therein, as by beingdirectly wound in the slots by a gun-type coil winder. Followingpositioning of the coils in the slots over the external leads, the otherlead wire portions are severed and lanced on either side thereof toprovide strippable ends for the other lead wire portions and the endportions of the next lead wires.

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sum 07 0F 10 INVENTORS PAUL H. REUST O 3'4 '56 BY DO ALD R. TAUBE 324 47/ 19 M ZM-M 312 ATTORNEYS SHEET INVENTORS REUST TAUBE M1 R S H Y Lm M Am m m. Y A B 4 4 2 IE=L3 PATENTEDJUL 1 1 W2 PATENIEDJUL 1 1 1972 SHEET09 0F 10 V IIIIII'I" 262 INVENTORS PAUL H. REUST E B M /h A T M 8 D U AN W R O DMT W A Y B LEAD WIRE INSER'I'ING MECHANISM FOR STATOR WINDINGAPPARATUS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention Thisinvention relates generally to apparatus for positioning field coils inthe slots of internally slotted dynamoelectric machine stator coremembers, and more particularly to apparatus for inserting external leadwires in respective slots and for positioning coil sides thereover,thereby to anchor the lead wires.

2. Description of the Prior Art In certain types of dynamoelectricmachines, particularly shaded pole motors and series universal motors,it has been a common practice to position external lead wires in slotsof the stator core with the field coils being wound or otherwisepositioned in the slots over the external lead wires thereby to anchorthe lead wires. Ends of the lead wires extend beyond the opposite endsof the stator core, one such end of each lead wire being connected to arespective field coil and the other end being used for making externalconnections to the motor. In the past, such lead wires have beenmanually inserted in the respective slots prior to positioning of thecoils therein, the lead wire ends being manually pulled away from thebore of the core and manually taped, and the coils then positioned inthe core slots over the lead wires, as by winding the magnet wireforming the coil directly into the slots with a conventional gun-typecoil winder. Following winding, the tape holding the ends of the leadwires is severed and removed.

Such manual insertion and taping of external lead wires has requiredappreciable operator time and has thus added appreciably to the cycletime for winding such stator cores. To the best of the presentapplicants knowledge, no apparatus has been provided for insertingexternal lead wires in stator core slots prior to winding and forholding the end portions away from the core during the winding operationthereby eliminating the prior manual insertion and holding operation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In its broader aspects, the invention providesapparatus for inserting at least one external lead wire in a respectiveslot of an internally slotted dynamoelectric machine stator core and forpositioning a coil side in the slot over the lead wire thereby to anchorthe same. The core has opposite ends and an opening extendinglongitudinally between its ends, the slot forming a part of the openingand having an entrance and a bottom. The apparatus includes means forsupporting the core and means for feeding the lead wire longitudinallythrough the core opening with an end portion of the lead wire extendinglongitudinally beyond one of the core ends and another portion extendinglongitudinally beyond the other core end. Means are provided forrespectively engaging the lead wire portions and for pulling the samelaterally outwardly away from the core opening thereby to seat the leadwire against the bottom of the slot, and means are provided forpositioning a side of a field coil in the slot over the lead wire whilethe end portions are pulled away from the opening by the engaging means.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the feeding means includesan elongated tube having the lead wire extending therethrough forguiding the lead wire into the core opening. The tube has opposite endsand means are provided for moving the tube longitudinally between anextended position with one of the tube ends extending into the coreopening and with the end portion of the lead wire extending outwardlyfrom the one tube end, and a retracted position with the one tube endlongitudinally spaced from the other core end and the other lead wireportion extending from the one tube end. The preferred embodiment alsoincludes means for severing the other portion of the lead wire when thetube is in its retracted position, and means for lancing the lead wireon either side of the severing means thereby to provide strippable endsfor the lead wire portions.

It is accordingly an object of the invention to provide apparatus forinserting an external lead wire in a respective slot of an internallyslotted dynamoelectric machine stator core and for positioning a coilside in the slot over the lead wire thereby to anchor the same.

The above-mentioned and other features and objects of this invention andthe manner of attaining them will become more apparent and the inventionitself will be best understood by reference to the following descriptionof an embodiment of the invention taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a front view, partly incram-section, showing the apparatus of the invention with the feedingtubes and lead wire clamps retracted;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged, fragmentary, front view, partly in cross-section,showing the lower portion of the apparatus of FIG. 1 with the feedingtubes and clamps extended;

FIG. 3A is a fragmentary side view, partly in cross'section, takengenerally along the line 3A-3A of FIG. 2;

FIG. 3B is a fragmentary side view showing the upper portion of theapparatus and taken generally along the line 3B- 3B of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary top cross-sectional view taken generally alongthe line 4-4 of FIG. 3A and showing the bob tom clamps extended;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary top cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 4 butshowing the bottom clamps retracted;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary top cross-sectional view taken generally alongthe line 6-6 of FIG. 3A and showing the top clamps extended;

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 6 but showing the top clamps retracted;

FIG. 8 is a top view of a series motor stator core showing the externallead wires positioned in the slots thereof with the field coilspositioned thereover;

FIG. 9 is a bottom cross-sectional view taken generally along the line9-9 of FIG. 3A;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged bottom view of the lancing mechanism shown inFIG. 9;

FIGS. 11A, B and C are fragmentary cross-sectional views taken generallyalong the line 11-11 of FIG. 10 and showing the construction andoperation of the lancing mechanism;

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken generally along theline 12-12 of FIG. 10;

FIG. 13 is a bottom cross-sectional view taken generally along the line13-13 of FIG. 3A;

FIGS. 14A and 14B are fragmentary cross-sectional views taken generallyalong the line 14-14 of FIG. 13 and illustrating the construction andoperation of the lead wire severing mechanism of FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a top cross sectional view taken generally along the line15-15 of FIG. 3A;

FIG. 16 is a top cross-sectional view taken generally along the line16-16 of FIG. 3A;

FIG. 17 is a top cross-sectional view taken generally along the line17-17 ofFIG. 3A;

FIG. 18 is a top cross-sectional view taken generally along the line18-18 of FIG. 3B;

FIG. 19 is a top cross-sectional view taken generally along the line19-19 of FIG. 3B; and

FIG. 20 is a top cross-sectional view taken generally along the line20-20 of FIG. 38.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to FIGS. 1-3 ofthe drawings, the apparatus of the invention, generally indicated at 20,includes lead wire inserting, cut-off and lancing mechanism 22, andconventional gun-type coil winding apparatus somewhat schematicallyshown at 24. Mechanism 22 is supported on base plate 26 forming a partof winding apparatus 24. Base plate 26 has an opening 28 therein coaxialwith axis 20 of mechanism 22 and winding apparatus 24. Stator coremember 32 is supported above base plate 26 coaxial with axis 30 by nestplate 34 secured to base plate 26. Conventional clamps (not shown) maybe provided for removably securing core 32 on nest plate 34 Coil windingapparatus 24 comprises a winding gun 36 having wire dispensing needles38 thereon for directly winding magnet wire into the slots of core 32.Gun 36 is mounted at the upper end of hollow splined shaft 40. Shah 40and gun 36 are reciprocated on axis 30, as shown by arrows 42, by aconventional scotch yoke mechanism 44 driven by conventional brake-motor46, gun 36 thus being reciprocated through bore 48 of core 32 between alower position below bottom end 50 of core 32, as shown in solid linesin FIG. 1, and an upper position above upper end 52, as shown in dashedlines at 36A. Splined shafl 40 and gun 36 are rotatably oscillated bymeans of pinion 54 on splined shaft 40 engaged by rack 56. Rack 56 islinearly reciprocated by means of pivoted lever 58 driven by barrel cam60 on motor shaft 62. Magnet wire 64 is fed from a source thereof (notshown) through hollow splined shaft 40 to dispensing needles 38. It willbe understood that gun coil winder apparatus 24, per se, is conventionaland need not further be described.

Referring briefly to FIG. 8, in the illustrated embodiment, apparatus 20is adapted to insert lead wires 66, 68, 70, 72 in respective slots 74,76, 78, 80 of stator core 32 of a conventional two-pole series universalmotor, and to wind field coils 82, 84 in the slots over the lead wires,as shown. It will be observed that stator core 32 has an opening 86extending between its opposite ends 50, 52, bore 48 and slots 74, 76, 78and 80 forming a part of that opening. Each slot 74, 76, 78 and 80 hasan entrance 88 and a bottom 90 against which the respective lead wire66, 68, 70 and 72 is seated, thus being anchored by the respective coilside wound thereover in the slot.

Mechanism 22 generally comprises lower clamp assemblies 92, 94, upperclamp assemblies 96, 98, lead wire feeding tube assembly 99, lead wirecut-off and lancing assembly 110, and lead wire advancing assembly 112.Feeding tube assembly 99 includes lead wire feeding tubes 100, 102, 104,106 having inner and outer ends 114, 118, with lead wires 66, 68, 70,72, respectively, extending therethrough, the lead wires extending outof the outer ends 118 of the feeding tubes to extendedlength lead wiresupply sources, such as suitable reels, shown in dashed lines at 120 inFIG. 1. As will be hereinafter more fully described, feeding tubes 100,102, 104, 106 are moved by support plate 108 and lead wire feed cylinder122 between an extended position, as shown in F168. 2 and 3A, with theirinner ends 114 extending substantially through core opening 86 togenerally the level of lower end 50 thereof, and a retracted positionwith inner ends 114 substantially spaced from upper core end 52, asshown in FIG. 1. In their extended positions, tubes 100, 102, 104, 106extend through core opening 86 adjacent the respective slot entrances88, as shown in dashed lines in FIG. 8. As will hereinafler be morefully described, in the extended position of feed tubes 100 through 106,end portions 122 of lead wires 68 through 72, respectively, extendoutwardly beyond inner tube ends 114 and lower end 50 of core 32, asbest seen in FIG. 2. In the retracted posi tion of tubes 100 through106, lead wire portions 124 extend between inner tube ends 114 and uppercore end 52, as best seen in FIG. 1.

Referring now additionally to FIGS. 4-7 of the drawings, diametricallyopposite slots 126 (FIG. 2) communicate with opening 28 in base plate 26for accommodating the usual winding shrouds (not shown) which areremovably attached to pole shoes 128 of core 32. Nest plate assembly 34comprises a plate member 130 having a central opening 132 thereincoaxial with axis 30 and forming an extension of opening 28 in baseplate 26. Diametrically opposite slots 134 in plate 130 communicate withopening 132 and are generally coextensive with slots 126 in base plate26, slots 134 likewise accommodating the winding shrouds (not shown).Upwardly extending projections 136 on plate have notches 138 formedtherein which seat core 32. Plate 130 is secured to the upper surface ofbase plate 26 by suitable threaded fastener 140.

Lower clamp assemblies 92, 94 are identical, and thus description ofclamp assembly 92 will suffice. Slot 142 is formed in upper surface 144of base plate 26 extending laterally outwardly from slot 126. Slide 144is reciprocably received in slot 142 and is moved between an extendedposition as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, and a retracted position, as shownin FIGS. 1 and 5, by block 146 attached to piston rod 148 ofconventional fluid power cylinder 150.

Slot 152 is formed in the bottom surface 154 of plate 130 extendinglaterally outwardly from opening 132. A pair of clamp members 154, 156are provided in slot 152 pivotally connected intermediate their ends toslide 144, as at 158. inner ends 160 of clamp members 154, 156,respectively, have holes 162 formed therein. Clamp members 154, 156,respectively, have outer surfaces 164, 166 and 168. Cam pins are securedto plate 130 and extend into slot 152 to cooperate with outer surfaces164, 166 and 168 of clamp members 154, 156. Referring particularly toFIG. 4, in the extended position of slide 144, cam pins 170 engagesurfaces 168 of clamp mernbers 154, 156 adjacent their outer ends 174thereby separating inner ends 160, biasing outer surfaces 164 intoengagement with sides 172 of slot 152, and positioning holes 162 inalignment with axes 176, 178 of tubes 104, 106. Thus, in the extendedpositions of clamp members 154, 156, holes 162 in ends 160 arepositioned to receive end portions 122 of lead wires 70, 72.

Referring now particularly to FIG. 5, upon lateral retraction of slide144 and clamp members 154, 156, cam pins 170 engage outer cam surfaces166 thereby pivotally collapsing outer ends 60 of clamp members 154, 156so as to pull end portions 122 of lead wires 70, 72 laterally outwardlyaway from core opening 86 and transversely inwardly toward each other,as shown by the dashed line 180 in FIG. 5. In the fully retractedposition of slide 144 and clamp members 154, 156, end portions 122 oflead wires 70, 72 are clamped against rear edge 182 of slot 134.

Upper clamp assemblies 96, 98 are likewise identical and thusdescription of clamping assembly 96 will suffice. Support bracket 184 issecured to base plate 26 and extends upwardly therefrom. Support plate186 is secured to bracket 184 and extends laterally therefrom towardaxis 30. Clamp members 188, 190 are pivotally connected intermediatetheir ends to block 192, as at 194. Block 192 is connected to piston rod196 of conventional fluid power cylinder 198 mounted on bracket 184.Block 192 and upper clamp members 188, 190 are laterally movable bymeans of cylinder 198 from an extended position, as shown in FIG. 6, toa retracted position as shown in FIG. 7.

Referring particularly to F IG. 6, outer ends 200 of clamp members 188,190 have inwardly facing hook portions 202 formed thereon. Cam pins 204are mounted on the upper surface of plate 186 and cooperate with outersurfaces 206, 208 of clamp members 188, 190. in the extended position ofblock 192 and clamp members 188, 190, cam pins 204 engage outer surfaces208 thereby separating outer ends 200 of clamp members 188, 190 andpositioning hook portions 202 in alignment with axes 176, 178 of tubes104, 106. Thus, when clamp members 188, 190 are in their extendedposition, tubes 104, 106 may be extended to pass through hook portions202 and core opening 86, as seen in FIG. 6.

Referring particularly to FlG. 7, when block 192 and clamp members 188,190 are moved laterally to their retracted position by cylinder 198, campins 204 on plate 186 cooperatively engage outer cam surfaces 206 onclamp members 188, 190 thus camming outer ends 200 and hook portions 202of the clamp members toward each other to their collapsed position.Thus, with lower clamp members 154, 156 retracted as abovedescribed, andwith lead wire feeding tubes 102, 106 retracted, as will hereinafter bedescribed, retraction of the upper clamp members 188, 190 asabove-described, will pull lead wire portions 124 laterally outwardlyaway from opening 86 and core 32 and inwardly toward each other therebyseating lead wires 70, 72 against the bottoms 90 of slots 78, 80. Withlead wire end portions 122 thus pulled laterally away from core opening186 by the retracted lower clamp members 154, 156, and the upper leadwire portions 124 similarly pulled away from core opening 86 by theupper clamp members 188, 190, winding assembly 24 may be actuated towind coil 84 in slots 78, 80 over lead wires 70, 72.

Referring now additionally to FlGS. 9-20, an upstanding frame 208 isprovided spaced rearwardly from axis 30 and comprising four upstandingangle members 210, 212, 214 and 216, respectively, having their lowerends 218 secured to a bottom plate member 220, as by welding, bottomplate 220 in turn being secured to base plate 26. Upper ends 222 ofangle members 210 through 216 are secured to top plate 224, as bywelding. A pair of main guide rods 226, 228 are provided respectivelyjoumaled in lower bushings 230 and upper bushings 232 mounted in lowerand upper side bars 234, 236, respectively, secured to frame 208. Lowerends 238 of main guide bars 226, 228 are secured to lower cross barmember 240 and upper ends 242 are secured to upper cross bar member 244.Main guide bars 226, 228 are moved between a lower, extended position,as shown in solid lines in H6. 3A, and an upper, retracted position, asshown in dashed lines at 240A, by mechanism feed cylinder 246 mounted onplate 248 supported on side bars 234, and having its piston rod 250secured to lower cross bar 240. Lead wire feeding tubes 100 through 106,tube mounting plate 108, lead wire cut-off and lancing assembly 110, andlead wire advancing assembly 112 are simultaneously raised and loweredbetween extended and retracted positions by cylinder 246, as willhereinafter be described.

A pair of wire feed guide rods 252, 254, respectively, have their lowerends 256 secured to lower cross bar 240, and their upper ends 258secured to upper cross bar 244. Lead wire feed tubes 100, 102, 104, 106are secured adjacent their upper ends 256 to support plate 108 by meansof suitable set screws 258. Support plate 108 is mounted on guide rods252, 254 for movement thereon as will be hereinafter described.

Cut-off and lancing assembly 110 is supported on support plate 260.Support plate 260 is mounted on guide rods 252, 254 for movementthereon, as will be described. The lowermost position of support plate260 and cut-off and lancing assembly 110 is determined by stops 62adjustably secured to guide rods 252, 254. The minimum spacing ofsupport plates 108, 260 is determined by spacers 262, 264. Feed tubes100, 102, 104, 106, respectively, extend through openings 266 in supportplate 260. Thus, in the extended position of feed tubes 100 through 106,stops 263 determine the desired position of inner feed tube ends 114adjacent lower core end 50, support plate 260 abutting stops 263 andspacers 262, 264 abutting with support plate 108 thus being spaced abovesupport plate 260, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3A.

Lead wire advancing assembly 112 is mounted on support plate 268, alsomounted on guide rods 252, 254 for movement thereon. Wire feed cylinder122 is mounted on bracket 270 adjustably secured to guide rods 252, 254adjacent their upper ends 272. Piston rod 274 of wire feed cylinder 122is directly secured to support plate 268 and thus, support plate 268 andwire advance assembly 112 is directly moved between an extendedposition, as shown in F168. 2 and 3A, and a retracted position, as shownin F IG. 1, by a corresponding extension and retraction of piston rod274 of cylinder 122.

Piston rod 274 has an extension portion 276 which extends throughsupport plate 268 and through clearance opening 278 in support plate108, piston rod extension portion 276 having an abutment 280 at itslower end. Coil spring 282 surrounds piston rod extension 276 andextends between support plates 268, 108. Piston rod extension 276 andspring 282 provide a lost-motion connection between support plates 268,108. Thus, with piston rod 274 extended and support plates 260,

108 and 268 in their extended positions, as shown in FIG. 2, spring 282is compressed and extension portion 276 of piston rod 274 extendsthrough and below feed tube support plate 108, as shown in FIG. 2. Uponinitial retraction of piston rod 274, support plate 268 will moveupwardly and spring 282 expands, support plate 268 separating fromsupport plate 108 until abutment 280 engages support plate 108, at whichpoint retraction of piston rod 274 also retracts support plate 108.

A lost-motion connection is also provided between feed tube supportplate 108 and cutoff and lancing assembly support plate 260. Rods 284,286 are secured to support plate 260, extend upwardly through clearanceholes 288, 290 in support plate 108, and upwardly through largerclearance holes 292, 294 in support plate 268, rods 284, 286 havingabutments 296, 298 at their upper ends. Thus, upon retraction of pistonrod 274 of wire feed cylinder 122 from its extended position, as shownin FIG. 2, lead wire advance assembly support plate 268 first retracts,followed by retraction of feed tube support plate 108, asabove-described. Retraction of support plates 108, 268 then continueswith abutments 296, 298 at the upper ends of rods 284, 286 passingthrough enlarged opening 292, 294 in support plate 268 until they engagethe upper surface of support plate 108, At that point, engagement ofabutrnents 296, 298 on rods 284, 286 with the upper surface of feed tubesupport plate 108 causes retraction of cutoff and lance assembly supportplate 260 to the position shown in FIG. 1.

Upon extension of piston rod 274, support plate 268 is directly moveddownwardly from its retracted position, and support plate 108 under theinfluence of spring 282 remains in engagement with abutment 280 onpiston rod extension 276 and likewise moves downwardly. Support plate260 moves downwardly under its own weight until it engages stops 263.Plates 108, 268 then continue their downward movement until spacers 264attached to plate 108 engage spacers 262 attached to plate 260 therebyarresting downward movement of plate 108. Plate 268 then continues itsdownward movement compressing spring 282, downward movement of plate 268toward plate 108 being arrested by engagement of stop pins 300 extendingupwardly from plate 108 and stop pins 302 extending downwardly fromplate 268. Downward movement of plate 108 extends the feeding tubesthrough 106 downwardly to their extended positions within core opening86, and downward movement of plate 268 following arresting of thedownward movement of plate 108 advances the lead wires through the tubesand beyond the inner ends 114 thereof to provide lower end portions 122.

Wire advancing assembly 112 comprises four pulley and noback wire clampassemblies 304 which are identical and thus description of one willsuffice. Each assembly 304 comprises a pulley 306 rotatably supportedbetween a pair of brackets 308 secured to support plate 268 anddepending therefrom. Upper portion 311 of the respective lead wire whichextends out of outer end 118 of the respective feed tube is trainedaround pulley 306 and extends therefrom to the respective lead wiresupply source 120. No-back wire clamp 310 is pivotally mounted betweenbrackets 308 and ha a serrated surface cooperating with the respectivelead wire. Clamps 310 are biased upwardly by a suitable coil spring 313.It will be observed that no-back wire clamps 310 permit the lead wire tobe advanced downwardly through the respective feed tubes and withdrawalthereof from the inner ends 114, while inhibiting retraction of the leadwires from the tubes and withdrawal from the outer ends 118.

It will now be seen that with lead wire end portions 122 clamped byretraction of lower clamp assemblies 92, 94, as above-described,retraction of lead wire feed tubes 100 through 106 by plate 108 andretraction of plate 268, as above-described, will result in thewithdrawal of a new length of lead wire from the supply source 120 andthe advance of that new length into the feed tubes, such withdrawal andadvance being accommodated by wire clamps 310. Following severing oflead wire portions 124, as will shortly be described,

initial downward movement of plate 268 and engagement of clamps 310 withthe lead wires causes the advance of new end portions 122 from innerends 114 of the feed tubes. Clamps 310 prevent reverse withdrawal of thelead wires from the feed tubes during the subsequent downward movementof plate 108 and extension of feed tubes 100 through 106 into opening 86and core 32, end portions 122 entering holes 162 in the extended lowerclamp members 154, 156 as inner feed tube ends 1 14 approach bottom coreend 50.

Lead wire cut-off and lancing assembly 110 comprises lower, cooperating,stationary and rotatable lancing plates 312, 314, intermediate,cooperating, stationary and rotatable cut-off plates 316, 318, andupper, cooperating, stationary and rotatable lancing plates 320, 322.Stationary plates 312, 316, and 320 are secured to support plate 260 inthe desired spaced-apart relationship by suitable threaded fasteners andspacers 324, 326. Upper and lower cooperating stationary and rotatablelance plates 312, 3 14 and 320, 322 are identical and thus detaileddescription of lower lance plates 312, 314 will suffice. Referringparticularly to FIGS. -12, stationary plate 312 has four holes 328therethrough. respectively, in alignment with the axes of feed tubes 100through 106 and of sufficient size to permit passage of the feed tubestherethrough. Countersunk opening 330 are formed in plate 312,respectively, on one side of hole 328 to define semicircular, sharpcutting edges 332 communicating with hole 328. Rotatable plate 314 hassimilar holes 334 therethrough of sul'ficient size to accommodatepassage of feeding tubes 100 through 106, and similar countersunkopenings 336 diametrically opposite countersunk openings 320 in plate312 and again defining semicircular, sharp cutting edges 338 on theother side of hole 334. Rotatable plate 314 is supported in rotatableengagement with plate 312 by studs 340 (FIG. 12). Plate 314 is rotatedin the direction shown by the arrow 342 between an inactive position anda lancing position by square post 344 extending through circular opening346 in plate 312 and seated in square opening in plate 314. Post 344 hasan upper rod portion 348 extending upwardly through plate 260. Post 344and rotatable lancing plate 314 are rotated by means of a conventionalfluid power cylinder 350 having its piston rod 352 coupled to lever 354attached to post extension rod 348 (FIG. 15). It will thus be seen thatextension of piston rod 352 will result in rotation of post 344 therebyto rotate plate 314 with respect to plate 312 in the direction shown bythe arrow 342.

In the inactive position of rotatable lancing plate 314, holes 334 inplate 314 and 328 in plate 312 are aligned thereby to permit extensionof the respective feeding tubes 100 through 106 therethrough, as seen inFIG. 11A. Upon retraction of the feeding tubes, as above-described, leadwire portions 124 extend through aligned holes 328, 334, as shown inFIG. 1111. Upon rotation of lancing member 314 in direction 342 to itslancing position, as shown in FIG. 11C, semicircular cutting edges 332,338 formed by countersunk openings 330, 336, respectively, cut or lanceinsulation 345 on lead wire portion 124. it will be understood thatcountersunk openings 330, 336 are formed to provide semicircular cuttingedges 332, 338 proportioned to lance insulation 345 without cutting theconductor therein.

Referring now to FIGS. 13 and 14, stationary cutting plate 316 issecured to support plate 260 by threaded fasteners and spacers 324, 326and rotatable cutting plate 318 is rotated with respect thereto by post344, being retained in engagement with stationary cutting plate 316 bystuds 340. Stationary and rotatable cutting plates 316, 318,respectively, have four tapered holes 356, 358 therein of sufficientsize to permit passage of feeding tubes 100 through 106 therethrough.Holes 356 in stationary cutting plate 316 are respectively aligned withthe axes of the feeding tubes. When post 344 is positioned so thatrotatable cutting plate 318 (along with rotatable lancing plates 314 and322) is in its inactive position, holes 358 in rotatable cutting plate318 are respectively aligned with holes 356 in stationary cutting plate316 thereby to permit passage of the feeding tubes therethrough. 1t willbe observed that holes 356, 358 are respectively inwardly tapered todefine sharp cutting edges 360, 362. When rotatable cutting plate 318 isrotated by post 344 in the direction shown by the arrow 342 to itscutting position, as shown in FIG. 14B, sharp edges 360, 362 defined byholes 356, 358 sever lead wire portion 124 thereby providing another end364 for the lead wire now anchored in the slots of core 32, and a newend 122 extending downwardly from inner end 114 of the respectivefeeding tube.

It will be observed that rotatable lancing plates 314, 322 are rotatedto their lancing positions simultaneously with rotation of rotatablecutting plate 318 to its cutting position, thereby lancing lead wireends 122, 364, as at 366, 368 thereby to provide readily strippable endsfor those lead wire end portions. it will be readily understood that thelength of spacers 326 may readily be varied in order to providestrippable ends of the desired length.

Reference to FIGS. 38 and 19 will show that the position of bracket 270which supports wire feed cylinder 122 on guide rods 252, 254 isselectively adjustable by means of threaded fasteners 370. This permitsselective adjustment of the position of the wire feed cylinder 122 inorder selectively to adjust the retractive movement of feeding tubesthrough 106 and, in turn, the lengths of the upper lead wire portions124. Stop pins 302 of different lengths are employed in order todetermine the length of the lead wire end portions 122.

It will be observed that mechanism feed cylinder 246 is employed, whenrequired, in order to retract the entire assembly of cutoff and lancingassembly 110, feeding tube assembly 99, lead wire advancing assembly 112and wire feed cylinder 122 sufficiently to permit loading and unloadingof core 32. Such retraction is necessitated when relatively short leadwire portions 124 are specified which, in turn, dictates a shorterstroke for wire feed cylinder 122 such that lead wire cut-ofi andlancing assembly 110 is not retracted sufficiently to permit loading andunloading of core 32. if relatively long lead wire portions 124 arespecified, wire feed cylinder 122 is positioned to provide aproportionately longer stroke resulting in retraction of lead wirecut-off and lancing mechanism 110 sufficiently to permit loading andunloading of core 32, thus eliminating the need for retracting mechanismfeed cylinder 246 so as further to retract the entire assembly.

OPERATION With no core 32 positioned on nest plate 34, mechanism feedcylinder 246 is retracted (if need be) thereby to retract the entirelead wire feeding mechanism, wire feed cylinder 122 is retracted,support plate 268 and lead wire advancing assembly 112 is fullyretracted, feed tube support plate 108 and feeding tubes 100 through 106are retracted by engagement of abutment 280 on piston rod 274 withsupport plate 108, lead wire cut-oft" and lancing assembly 110 andsupport plate 260 are retracted by abutments 296, 298 on pins 284, 286with inner tube ends 114 being disposed within holes 266 in supportplate 260, as shown in FIG. 1, lower clamp assemblies 92, 94 areextended, and upper clamp assemblies 96, 68 are retracted.

An unwound core 32 is then loaded on nest plate 34, upper clampassemblies 96, 98 are extended, and mechanism feed cylinder 246 isextended (if need be) thereby to extend the entire lead wire feedingmechanism to the position shown in FIG. 1. Wire feeding cylinder 122 isthen extended resulting in immediate extension of support plate 268together with lead wire advancing assembly 112 thereon, support plate108 together with feeding tubes 100 through 106 secured thereto, andsupport plate 260 together with lead wire cut-off and lancing mechanism110 attached thereto. It will be observed that engagement of no-backwire clamps 310 with the respective lead wire portion 311 prevents thelengths of lead wire which extend through the respective feeding tubes100 through 106 from being withdrawn from outer tube ends 118 duringsuch extension. Extension of support plate 260 continues until arrestedby its engagement with stops 263 on guide rods 252, 254. As extension ofsupport plate 108 continues, inner ends 114 of feeding tubes 100 through106 pass through hook portions 202 of upper clamp members 188, 190, andenter core opening 86, extension of support plate 108 and feeding tubes100 through 106 being terminated by engagement of spacers 262, 264.Extension of support plate 268 then continues compressing spring 282until stop pins 308 engage stop pins 300, this further extension ofsupport plate 268 and lead wire advancing assembly 112 extending leadwire end portions 122 outwardly from inner tube ends 114 and throughholes 162 in lower clamp members 154, 156. Lower clamp assemblies 92, 94are then retracted so as to pull lead wire end portions 122 laterallyoutwardly away from core opening 86 and transversely inwardly towardeach other and into clamping engagement with edges 182 of slots 134.

Wire feed cylinder 122 is then retracted resulting in immediateretraction of support plate 268 and wire advancing assembly 112. It willbe observed that with the lead wire end portions 122 clamped by lowerclamp asemblies 92, 94, retraction of support plate 268 and wireadvancing assemblies 1 12 will withdraw a new length of lead wire fromsupplies 120. As soon as the lost-motion of extension portion 276 ofpiston rod 274 is taken up so that abutment 280 engage feed tube supportplate 108, support plate 108 and feeding tubes 100 through 106 areretracted, thereby to withdraw inner tube ends 114 from core opening 86and from hook portions 202 of upper clamp assemblies 96, 98, continuedretraction of support plate 268 and wire advancing assemblies 112continuing to withdraw lead wire from supply sources 120. Support plate260 remains in engagement with stops 263 until abutments 296, 298 onrods 284, 286 pass through holes 292, 294 in support plate 268 andultimately engage the upper surface of support plate 108. Continuedretraction of wire feed cylinder 122 then retracts support plate 260 andlead wire cut-E and lancing mechanism 110 along with support plate 108,lead wire feeding tubes 100 through 106, support plate 268 and lead wirefeeding assembly 112 until the desired lengths of lead wire portions 124have been withdrawn from tube ends 114, as determined by the stroke ofwire feed cylinder 122, as shown in H6. 1.

Upper clamp assemblies 96, 98 are then retracted thereby pulling leadwire portions 124 laterally outwardly away from core opening 86 andtransversely inwardly toward each other so as to seat lead wires 66through 72 against the bottoms 90 of core slots 74 through 80. Coilwinding apparatus 24 is then actuated to wind coils 82, 84 in slots 74through 80 over lead wires 66 through 72, thereby anchoring the leadwires in place. Gun 36 of coil winding apparatus 24 is fully retractedat the end of the winding cycle, as shown in H6. 1.

Cut-off and lancing mechanism 110 is then actuated by extension ofcylinder 350 thereby to sever lead wire portions 124 to provide endportions 364 and new end portions 122, and to lance these end portionsat points spaced from the point of severance thereby to providestrippable ends thereon. Mechanism feed cylinder 246 is then retracted(if need be) in order to retract the entire lead wire feeding mechanism,and lower clamp assemblies 92, 94 are extended in order to release theclamping of lead wire end portions 122. The fully wound core 32 is thenunloaded, it being observed that the provision of hook portions 202 onupper clamp members 188, 190 permits ready removal of the severed leadwire end portions 364 therefrom.

It will be readily understood that a control system is desirablyprovided for automatically actuating the apparatus of the invention inthe above-described sequence, and that such a control system may be ofthe type including appropriately located limit switches for actuatingthe various mechanisms in accordance with the desired sequence. Thus,after loading an unwound core 32 on nest plate 34, a Start" switch maybe actuated which will initiate extension of upper clamp assemblies 96,98. When upper clamp assemblies 96, 98 are fully extended, a limitswitch may be actuated which will initiate extension of mechanism feedcylinder 246 (if need be). Upon completion of extension of mechanismfeed cylinder 246 and extension of the entire lead wire feedingassembly, a limit switch may be actuated to initiate extension of wirefeed cylinder 122. Upon arrival of support plate 268 at its fullyextended position, a limit switch may be actuated to initiate retractionof lower clamp assemblies 92, 94. Upon completion of retraction of lowerclamp assemblies 92, 94, a limit switch may be actuated to initiateretraction of wire feed cylinder 122. Upon completion of retraction ofsupport plate 268, a limit switch may be actuated to initiate retractionof upper clamp assembles 96, 98. Upon completion of retraction of upperclamp assemblies 96, 98, a limit switch may be actuated to initiateoperation of coil winding mechanism 24.

Upon completion of the coil winding operation, as determined by aconventional turns counter, operation of coil winding mechanism 24 isterminated and upon retraction of gun 36, a switch is actuated toinitiate extension of cylinder 350 and operation of the lead wirecut-off and lancing mechanism 110. Upon completion of extension ofcylinder 350, another limit switch is actuated immediately to retractcylinder 350. Upon completion of retraction of cylinder 350, a limitswitch may be actuated to initiate retraction of mechanism feed cylinder246 (if need be). Upon completion of retraction of mechanism feedcylinder 246, a limit switch may be actuated to extend lower clampassemblies 92, 94 and to terminate the cycle of operation.

it will now be seen that the invention provides apparatus for insertingexternal lead wires in the slots of an internally slotted dynamoelectricmachine stator core member and for positioning coils therein over thelead wires, the apparatus of the invention therefore eliminating leadwire placing operations formerly manually performed and thussubstantially reducing the cycle time required for the production of afully wound stator core.

While there have been described above the principles of this inventionin connection with specific apparatus, it is to be clearly understoodthat this description is made only by way of example and not as alimitation to the scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for inserting at least one external lead wire in arespective slot of an internally slotted dynamoelectric machine statorcore and for positioning a coil side in said slot over said lead wirethereby to anchor the same, said core having opposite ends and anopening extending longitudinally between said ends, said slot forming apart of said opening and having a bottom, said apparatus comprisingmeans for supporting said core, means for feeding said lead wirelongitudinally through said opening with an end portion of said leadwire extending longitudinally beyond one of said core ends and anotherportion extending longitudinally beyond the other of said core ends,means for respectively engaging said lead wire portions and for pullingthe same laterally outwardly away from said core opening to seat saidlead wire against the bottom of said slot, and means for positioning aside of a field coil in said slot over said lead wire while said endportions are pulled away from said opening by said engaging means.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said feeding means includes anelongated tube having said lead wire extending therethrough for guidingsaid lead wire into said core opening, said tube having opposite ends,means for moving said tube longitudinally between an extended positionwith one of said tube ends extending into said core opening and withsaid end portion extending outwardly from said one tube end, and aretracted position with said one tube end longitudinally spaced fromsaid other core end and with said other lead wire portion extending fromsaid one tube end.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said one end of said tube in saidextended position thereof extends substantially through said coreopening.

4. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said feeding means further includesmeans for advancing said lead wire through said tube thereby to extendsaid end portion from said one tube end; said engaging means includingfirst and second clamp members respectively spaced from said core ends,and means for respectively laterally moving said clamp members betweenextended positions in which said lead wire portions are respectivelyengaged, and retracted positions in which said portions are pulledlaterally outwardly away from said core opening, said end portionextending beyond said one end of said core and being secured by saidfirst clamp member in said retracted position thereof whereby movementof said tube to said retracted position withdraws said lead wiretherefrom with the other portion thereof extending between said othercore end and said one tube end and being engaged and pulled by saidsecond clamp member.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said lead wire extends out of theother end of said tube to an extended-length supply thereof wherebymovement of said tube to said retracted position withdraws a length oflead wire from said supply.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 further comprising means for severing saidother lead wire portion between said second clamp member and said oneend of said tube in said retracted position thereof.

'7. The apparatus of claim 6 further comprising means for lancing saidlead wire respectively spaced from each side of said severing meansthereby to provide strippable ends for said lead wire portions.

8. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said first clamp member has anaperture formed therein for receiving said end portion of said leadwire, said second clamp member having a hook formed thereon for engagingsaid the other wire portion.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said slot has an entrance, saidfeeding means feeding said lead wire through said opening adjacent saidslot entrance.

10. The apparatus of claim I wherein said positioning means comprises agun-type winder for winding the wire forming said coil side directlyinto said slot.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said lead wire is withdrawn from anextended-length supply, and further comprising means for severing saidother lead wire portion between said core and said supply.

12. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein there are two spaced slots eachhaving an entrance and a bottom, said entrances being more widely spacedthan said bottoms, and wherein there are two of said lead wires, saidfeeding means feeding said lead wires through said opening at locationadjacent said slot entrances, respectively, said engaging means having afirst position in which said portions of said lead wires are engaged atsaid locations and a second position in which said lead wires are seatedadjacent the bottoms of said slots, respectively, and further comprisingmeans for moving said engaging means between said first and said secondpositions thereof.

T3. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said engaging means includes firstand second pairs of clamp members respectively spaced from said coreends, said moving means including means for moving said pairs of clampmembers laterally outwardly and transversely inwardly from said first tosaid second positions thereof.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said moving means includes firstand second actuator means for respectively independently so moving saidpairs of clamp members.

15. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein each of said actuator meansincludes power means laterally movable between extended and retractedpositions, means for pivotally connecting the respective pair of clampmembers to said power means for movement between expanded and collapsedpositions, and cam means cooperating with said clamp members for movingthe same from said expanded to said collapsed positions responsive tomovement of said power means from said extended to said retractedposition, said clamp members being in said first position when saidpower means is in said extended position and in said second positionwhen said power means is in said retracted position.

16. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said feeding means includes anelongated, longitudinally extending tube for guiding said lead wire intosaid core opening, said tube having outer and inner ends, said lead wireextending through said tube and out of said outer end thereof to anextended-length supply thereof a supporting member having said tubesecured thereto, an elongated. longitudinally extending guide member,means for mounting said guide member on aid supporting mean, means formounting said supporting member on said guide member for longitudinalmovement of said supporting member and tube between an extended tubeposition with said inner end thereof extending into said core openingand with said lead wire end portion extending outwardly from said innertube end, and a retracted position with said inner tube endlongitudinally spaced from said other core end and with said other leadwire portion extending from said inner end, and means for moving saidsupporting member and tube between said extended and retractedpositions.

17. The apparatus of claim 16 further comprising means for severing saidlead wire, a second supporting member intermediate said first-namedsupporting member and said other core end and carrying said severingmeans, means for mounting said second supporting member on said guidemember for movement between extended and retracted positions, said tubeextending through said severing means in said extended tube position,said inner tube end being spaced from said severing means and said otherlead wire portion extending therethrough in said retracted tubeposition, means operatively connecting said first supporting member tosaid second supporting member for moving the same from said extended tosaid retracted position thereof in response to movement of said firstsupporting member and tube from said extended to said retracted positionthereof, and means operatively connected to said severing means foractuating the same thereby to sever said other lead wire portion toprovide another lead wire end portion.

18. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein said connecting means includes alost-motion connection between said first and second supporting memberswhereby said second supporting member is retracted, a firstpredetennined distance thereby to provide said other lead wire endportion of predetermined length in response to said first supportingmember and tube being retracted by a second predetermined distancegreater than said first distance thereby to retract said inner tube endoutwardly from said severing means.

19. The apparatus of claim l7 further comprising first and second meansfor lancing said lead wire carried by said second supporting meansrespectively on opposite sides of said severing means, said lancingmeans being operatively connected to said actuating means and actuatedthereby to provide strippable ends for said lead wire portions.

20. The apparatus of claim 19 wherein each of said severing and lancingmeans includes first and second cooperating plate members, means forsecuring said first plate member to said second supporting member, saidsecond plate member being rotatable with respect to the respective firstplate member between an inactive and an active position, respectivefirst and second plate members having openings therein which are alignedin said inactive position and through which said tube extends in saidextended position and said other lead wire portion extends in saidretracted position, said openings cooperating to sever and lance saidother lead wire portion, respectively, in said active position, saidsecond plate members being connected to said actuating means and rotatedthereby between said inactive and active positions.

2!. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein said first-mentioned mountingmeans comprises a second elongated, longitudinally extending guidemember carried by said supporting means, means for movably mounting theassembly of said first-named guide member, first supporting member,tube, second supporting member and severing means on said second guidemember for movement of said assembly from an extended, operativeposition to a retracted position thereby to permit loading an unwoundcore on said supporting means and unloading of the fully wound coretherefrom, and means for moving said assembly between said positionthereof.

22. The apparatus of claim 16 further comprising a second supportingmember spaced outwardly from said first supporting member and said outertube end, means for mounting said second supporting member on said guidemember for movement between extended and retracted positions, meanscarried by said second supporting member for guiding said lead wire fromsaid outer tube end to said source, no-back means carried by said secondsupporting member for permitting withdrawal of lead wire from saidsource while preventing withdrawal of said lead wire from said outertube end, means operatively connecting said first supporting member tosaid second supporting member for moving the same from said extended tosaid retracted position thereof in response to movement of said firstsupporting member from said retracted to said extended position thereofthereby withdrawing lead wire from said source, said connecting meansincluding a lost-motion connection whereby said second supporting membertravels a predetermined additional distance to its extended positionfollowing arrival of said first supporting member and tube at saidextended tube position thereby advancing said lead wire end portion fromsaid inner tube end.

i i i I! i

1. Apparatus for inserting at least one external lead wire in arespective slot of an internally slotted dynamoelectric machine statorcore and for positioning a coil side in said slot over said lead wirethereby to anchor the same, said core having opposite ends and anopening extending longitudinally between said ends, said slot forming apart of said opening and having a bottom, said apparatus comprisingmeans for supporting said core, means for feeding said lead wirelongitudinally through said opening with an end portion of said leadwire extending longitudinally beyond one of said core ends and anotherportion extending longitudinally beyond the other of said core ends,means for respectively engaging said lead wire portions and for pullingthe same laterally outwardly away from said core opening to seat saidlead wire against the bottom of said slot, and means for positioning aside of a field coil in said slot over said lead wire while said endportions are pulled away from said opening by said engaging means. 2.The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said feeding means includes anelongated tube having said lead wire extending therethrough for guidingsaid lead wire into said core opening, said tube having opposite ends,means for moving said tube longitudinally between an extended positionwith one of said tube ends extending into said core opening and withsaid end portion extending outwardly from said one tube end, and aretracted position with said one tube end longitudinally spaced fromsaid other core end and with said other lead wire portion extending fromsaid one tube end.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said one end ofsaid tube in said extended position thereof extends substantiallythrough said core opening.
 4. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein saidfeeding means further includes means for advancing said lead wirethrough said tube thereby to extend said end portion from said one tubeend; said engaging means including first and second clamp membersrespectively spaced from said core ends, and means for respectivelylaterally moving said clamp members between extended positions in whichsaid lead wire portions are respectively engaged, and retractedpositions in which said portions are pulled laterally outwardly awayFrom said core opening, said end portion extending beyond said one endof said core and being secured by said first clamp member in saidretracted position thereof whereby movement of said tube to saidretracted position withdraws said lead wire therefrom with the otherportion thereof extending between said other core end and said one tubeend and being engaged and pulled by said second clamp member.
 5. Theapparatus of claim 4 wherein said lead wire extends out of the other endof said tube to an extended-length supply thereof whereby movement ofsaid tube to said retracted position withdraws a length of lead wirefrom said supply.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5 further comprising meansfor severing said other lead wire portion between said second clampmember and said one end of said tube in said retracted position thereof.7. The apparatus of claim 6 further comprising means for lancing saidlead wire respectively spaced from each side of said severing meansthereby to provide strippable ends for said lead wire portions.
 8. Theapparatus of claim 5 wherein said first clamp member has an apertureformed therein for receiving said end portion of said lead wire, saidsecond clamp member having a hook formed thereon for engaging said theother wire portion.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said slot has anentrance, said feeding means feeding said lead wire through said openingadjacent said slot entrance.
 10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein saidpositioning means comprises a gun-type winder for winding the wireforming said coil side directly into said slot.
 11. The apparatus ofclaim 1 wherein said lead wire is withdrawn from an extended-lengthsupply, and further comprising means for severing said other lead wireportion between said core and said supply.
 12. The apparatus of claim 1wherein there are two spaced slots each having an entrance and a bottom,said entrances being more widely spaced than said bottoms, and whereinthere are two of said lead wires, said feeding means feeding said leadwires through said opening at location adjacent said slot entrances,respectively, said engaging means having a first position in which saidportions of said lead wires are engaged at said locations and a secondposition in which said lead wires are seated adjacent the bottoms ofsaid slots, respectively, and further comprising means for moving saidengaging means between said first and said second positions thereof. 13.The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said engaging means includes first andsecond pairs of clamp members respectively spaced from said core ends,said moving means including means for moving said pairs of clamp memberslaterally outwardly and transversely inwardly from said first to saidsecond positions thereof.
 14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein saidmoving means includes first and second actuator means for respectivelyindependently so moving said pairs of clamp members.
 15. The apparatusof claim 14 wherein each of said actuator means includes power meanslaterally movable between extended and retracted positions, means forpivotally connecting the respective pair of clamp members to said powermeans for movement between expanded and collapsed positions, and cammeans cooperating with said clamp members for moving the same from saidexpanded to said collapsed positions responsive to movement of saidpower means from said extended to said retracted position, said clampmembers being in said first position when said power means is in saidextended position and in said second position when said power means isin said retracted position.
 16. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein saidfeeding means includes an elongated, longitudinally extending tube forguiding said lead wire into said core opening, said tube having outerand inner ends, said lead wire extending through said tube and out ofsaid outer end thereof to an extended-length supply thereof a supportingmember having said tube secured thereto, an elongated, longitudinallyextendinG guide member, means for mounting said guide member on aidsupporting mean, means for mounting said supporting member on said guidemember for longitudinal movement of said supporting member and tubebetween an extended tube position with said inner end thereof extendinginto said core opening and with said lead wire end portion extendingoutwardly from said inner tube end, and a retracted position with saidinner tube end longitudinally spaced from said other core end and withsaid other lead wire portion extending from said inner end, and meansfor moving said supporting member and tube between said extended andretracted positions.
 17. The apparatus of claim 16 further comprisingmeans for severing said lead wire, a second supporting memberintermediate said first-named supporting member and said other core endand carrying said severing means, means for mounting said secondsupporting member on said guide member for movement between extended andretracted positions, said tube extending through said severing means insaid extended tube position, said inner tube end being spaced from saidsevering means and said other lead wire portion extending therethroughin said retracted tube position, means operatively connecting said firstsupporting member to said second supporting member for moving the samefrom said extended to said retracted position thereof in response tomovement of said first supporting member and tube from said extended tosaid retracted position thereof, and means operatively connected to saidsevering means for actuating the same thereby to sever said other leadwire portion to provide another lead wire end portion.
 18. The apparatusof claim 17 wherein said connecting means includes a lost-motionconnection between said first and second supporting members whereby saidsecond supporting member is retracted, a first predetermined distancethereby to provide said other lead wire end portion of predeterminedlength in response to said first supporting member and tube beingretracted by a second predetermined distance greater than said firstdistance thereby to retract said inner tube end outwardly from saidsevering means.
 19. The apparatus of claim 17 further comprising firstand second means for lancing said lead wire carried by said secondsupporting means respectively on opposite sides of said severing means,said lancing means being operatively connected to said actuating meansand actuated thereby to provide strippable ends for said lead wireportions.
 20. The apparatus of claim 19 wherein each of said severingand lancing means includes first and second cooperating plate members,means for securing said first plate member to said second supportingmember, said second plate member being rotatable with respect to therespective first plate member between an inactive and an activeposition, respective first and second plate members having openingstherein which are aligned in said inactive position and through whichsaid tube extends in said extended position and said other lead wireportion extends in said retracted position, said openings cooperating tosever and lance said other lead wire portion, respectively, in saidactive position, said second plate members being connected to saidactuating means and rotated thereby between said inactive and activepositions.
 21. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein said first-mentionedmounting means comprises a second elongated, longitudinally extendingguide member carried by said supporting means, means for movablymounting the assembly of said first-named guide member, first supportingmember, tube, second supporting member and severing means on said secondguide member for movement of said assembly from an extended, operativeposition to a retracted position thereby to permit loading an unwoundcore on said supporting means and unloading of the fully wound coretherefrom, and means for moving said assembly between said positionthereof.
 22. The apparatus of claim 16 further comprising a secondsupporTing member spaced outwardly from said first supporting member andsaid outer tube end, means for mounting said second supporting member onsaid guide member for movement between extended and retracted positions,means carried by said second supporting member for guiding said leadwire from said outer tube end to said source, no-back means carried bysaid second supporting member for permitting withdrawal of lead wirefrom said source while preventing withdrawal of said lead wire from saidouter tube end, means operatively connecting said first supportingmember to said second supporting member for moving the same from saidextended to said retracted position thereof in response to movement ofsaid first supporting member from said retracted to said extendedposition thereof thereby withdrawing lead wire from said source, saidconnecting means including a lost-motion connection whereby said secondsupporting member travels a predetermined additional distance to itsextended position following arrival of said first supporting member andtube at said extended tube position thereby advancing said lead wire endportion from said inner tube end.